In a major escalation of the ongoing war in Syria, rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have seized control over the city of Daraa, near Jordan. This makes Daraa the fourth key Syrian territory to fall to the militants in the past week, destabilizing the political landscape of the country and prompting concern from neighboring countries like Iran. The insurgent offensive has also been hindered by regional conflicts involving Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah. If the rebels continue to make gains, they could potentially cut off Damascus from the coast, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. As a result, thousands of civilians have already fled towards the coast to escape the violence.
In a surprising move, 21-year-old England player Jacob Bethell has been selected to bat at number three in the first Test against New Zealand. This comes after regular wicketkeeper Jordan Cox was ruled out due to injury. Captain Ben Stokes has moved down the batting order to make room for Bethell, who has impressed in white-ball cricket and recently secured an Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bethell's elevation is seen as a testament to his talent and potential, and is eagerly anticipated by both fans and teammates.
In a post-game press conference, Warriors' star Draymond Green commented on Jordan Poole's development with the Washington Wizards. Green praised Poole's improved game, stating that he has settled into his role and is taking high-efficiency shots rather than forcing them. According to Green, Poole's struggles last season were due to the guard wanting to prove himself as a leader for his new team, causing him to take difficult and unnecessary shots. But this year, Poole has shown significant growth and improvement in his approach to the game.
Amidst the highly competitive and intense atmosphere of the Olympic Games, a crucial mistake by head coach Cecile Landi resulted in gymnast Jordan Chiles losing her chance at a medal. With seconds to spare in the final moments of the competition, Landi missed the submission deadline for an inquiry, leading to a score change that ultimately cost the team a bronze medal. As the gymnastics community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, it serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and pressure faced by elite athletes in their pursuit for Olympic glory.
Jordan Cox is set to make his Test debut for England in New Zealand next month, as Jamie Smith will miss part of the tour for the birth of his first child. With his aggressive batting skills and wicketkeeping abilities, Cox has caught the eye of head coach Brendon McCullum, who has been mentoring him on the current tour of Pakistan. This decision effectively ends any hopes of a recall for veteran Jonny Bairstow, who has been struggling to get a spot in the England squad in recent months. McCullum has also praised New Zealand as a "comfortable place" for wicketkeeping, indicating a bright future for Cox.
Chennaiyin FC displayed their resilience as they overcame a 0-2 deficit to snatch a 3-2 win over NorthEast United FC in the much-anticipated ISL clash. The victory marks the team's return to winning ways after the international break, with Wilmar Jordan Gil and Lukas Brambilla playing instrumental roles. Watch out for this clash if you haven't subscribed to ISL yet!
South Korea secured their second consecutive victory with a 2-0 win over Jordan, thanks to goals from Lee Jae-sung and Oh Hyeong-gu. The win was crucial for underfire coach Hong Myung-bo, who had faced criticism after the team's opening match. Meanwhile, in Group A, Uzbekistan's match against Iran ended in a goalless draw, despite Iran being reduced to 10 players for the final 35 minutes. This result keeps South Korea at the top of the group and in a strong position for qualifying for the World Cup.
The Denver Nuggets have set their sights on another championship, and they're not holding back. With the addition of Russell Westbrook, the team's core players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are poised to lead the charge. Westbrook, known for his intensity and competitive drive, has made it clear that he's not there to make friends on the court - he's there to win. Despite recent criticism, Westbrook's former teammate DeAndre Jordan is confident that the point guard will be a game-changer for the Nuggets.
England will be without their white-ball captain Jos Buttler for the upcoming T20I series against Australia, as he has been ruled out due to a right calf injury. Jamie Overton has been called up as his replacement, while Essex's Jordan Cox will be added to the ODI squad for cover. This series will mark England's return to limited-overs action after their semi-final loss in the T20 World Cup 2024, hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America.
The highly anticipated FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024, known for showcasing top young basketball talent, is set to start in Amman, Jordan from September 2-9. India, fresh off their SABA Qualifiers win, will compete against tough opponents such as South Korea, Iran, and Kuwait in the group stage. Coach Scott Flemming makes his return as head coach, accompanied by former India international Narendra Grewal. The top four teams from this tournament will secure spots in the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Switzerland.